⦿ Deceased estate tool · Beta
Crypto Likelihood Score
An executor is not expected to conduct an exhaustive investigation into crypto assets in every estate administered. Our free online screening tool allows a quick, anonymous score without any obligation. The questionnaire takes only minutes to complete and produces an instant triage report with a full assessment score, available immediately for download.
⦿ If the result confirms a low probability of crypto holdings, it serves as a structured assessment conducted against established indicators. It can be included in the estate file as documented evidence of the diligence exercised.
⦿ If the results show crypto holdings are likely, the report can justify further efforts and attempts to trace and recover it.
⦿ For matters where a more formal record is required, a detailed and authoritative assessment certificate can be requested where the triage involves information gathered from various official sources including cryptocurrency exchanges and SARS records.
Source of information
The respondent’s relationship to the deceased affects the reliability weighting of the assessment. More than one person may complete this form independently.
A — Direct confirmation max 30 pts
A1Was cryptocurrency mentioned in the will or any written record? ⚡ Trigger
Explicit mention in will, letter of wishes, estate documentation, or formal correspondence with an attorney.
A2Did a family member or close associate directly confirm ownership? ⚡ Trigger
Spouse, adult child, business partner, or close friend has witnessed holdings or been explicitly told about them.
A3Did an accountant, financial advisor, or tax practitioner confirm crypto holdings? ⚡ Trigger
Any professional advisor with direct knowledge of the deceased’s financial affairs confirming crypto assets.
0 / 24 answered
Awaiting answers
B — Physical & digital evidence max 46 pts
B1Was a hardware wallet device found in the deceased’s belongings? ⚡ Trigger
Ledger, Trezor, BitBox, Coldcard, Foundation Passport, or other USB-like security device.
B2Were seed words or a recovery phrase found? ⚡ Trigger
12 or 24 word recovery phrase written on paper, engraved on metal, stored in a safe, with a solicitor, or in a password manager.
B3Was a confirmed crypto exchange account found? ⚡ Trigger
Luno, VALR, Binance, AltCoinTrader, OVEX, Coinbase, Kraken, Bybit — confirmed via login on device, email notifications, or bank deposits/withdrawals to a known exchange.
B4Did SARS tax returns include crypto or digital asset declarations? ⚡ Trigger
SARS requires crypto gains on the ITR12. From March 2026, CARF reporting means exchanges automatically report to SARS.
B5Were crypto wallet apps found on the deceased’s phone or computer?
Luno, VALR, Trust Wallet, MetaMask, Exodus, Electrum, BlueWallet, Phoenix, Muun, or other wallet applications.
B6Were crypto-related emails, SMS alerts, or 2FA notifications found?
Exchange login notifications, price alerts, transaction confirmations, 2FA codes from crypto services, or blockchain explorer links in browser history.
B7Were external storage devices found? (USB drives, SD cards, encrypted drives)
Multiple devices may indicate backup habits common among self-custody holders.
0 / 24 answered
Awaiting answers
C — Financial profile max 20 pts
C1Did the deceased own other investment assets?
Shares, ETFs, unit trusts, forex trading accounts, gold, offshore holdings.
C2What is the approximate gross value of the estate?
Larger estates correlate with higher investment sophistication.
C3Did the deceased have offshore bank accounts or foreign investments?
Offshore accounts signal financial sophistication and awareness of asset classes beyond the SA mainstream.
0 / 24 answered
Awaiting answers
D — Technology & security behaviour max 20 pts
D1Did the deceased use a password manager?
LastPass, Bitwarden, 1Password, KeePass, Dashlane. Password manager use is strongly associated with self-custody crypto habits.
D2Did the deceased use two-factor authentication (2FA) or an authenticator app?
Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, or hardware security keys (YubiKey).
D3Did the deceased use a VPN service?
ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, ProtonVPN, or similar. VPN use correlates with crypto ownership.
D4How frequently did the deceased use digital financial services?
Online banking, investment platforms, EasyEquities, SnapScan, PayFast, forex platforms, or other fintech apps.
0 / 24 answered
Awaiting answers
E — Behavioural & interest indicators max 16 pts
E1Did the deceased ever discuss cryptocurrency with others?
Even casual mention to friends, family, or colleagues is a meaningful signal.
E2Was the deceased known to follow financial markets, investments, or tech trends?
Active interest in investments, financial independence, the FIRE movement, online trading, or technology news.
E3Did the deceased subscribe to financial, tech, or crypto-related media?
Newsletters, YouTube channels, podcasts, Reddit communities, Twitter/X finance accounts, or Telegram trading groups.
0 / 24 answered
Awaiting answers
F — Demographic profile max 15 pts
F1Age at time of death?
SA (Luno 2025): 25–34 = 37% of users, 35–44 = 26%. Age is the single strongest demographic predictor.
F2Gender of the deceased?
SA (Luno 2025): 64% male, 36% female. Gender is a weak signal only.
F3Highest level of education completed?
46% of SA crypto owners hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
F4Occupation field?
IT, fintech, and finance professionals are significantly over-represented. Executives and entrepreneurs also show elevated rates.
F5Primary residential location?
SA major metros account for the significant majority of Luno and VALR users.
Confirmed indicator — investigation recommended regardless of total score.
Assessment score
0
/ 147
Awaiting answers
Complete the questions above to generate a probability assessment.
Score by section
A · Direct confirmation
0
B · Physical & digital
0
C · Financial profile
0
D · Tech behaviour
0
E · Behavioural
0
F · Demographics
0
Respondent weighting
0
Probability rating
Unlikely0 – 20
Low possibility21 – 45
Possible46 – 75
Likely76 – 110
Very likely111+ or ⚡
Recommended next steps
About this tool
How the scoring is calibrated
Each question is weighted according to its evidence strength, grounded in SA and global ownership data. Demographic factors alone can reach at most “Possible”, preventing false escalations from soft signals only.
SA market data
Calibrated from Luno (6.3M SA users), VALR demographics, ConsenSys/YouGov (SA ranked 2nd globally), and Chainalysis 2024/25 Sub-Saharan Africa reports.
Trigger vs scored evidence
Confirmed hardware wallets, seed phrases, exchange accounts, SARS declarations, and professional confirmation bypass scoring — they confirm investigation is warranted immediately.
FSCA & SARS aligned
From March 2026, CARF reporting means SA exchanges feed trade data to SARS automatically. Tax records are now a primary and highly reliable discovery pathway.